The Federal Safety Net Is Shrinking

If you've been following cybersecurity news, you've likely heard rumblings about significant changes at NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) and the non-renewal of MITRE's CVE contract. These aren't just bureaucratic reshuffles—they represent a fundamental shift in how vulnerability information gets cataloged, analyzed, and distributed.

For years, small and medium-sized businesses have relied on these federal resources as the backbone of their security intelligence. The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) helped organizations understand which software flaws posed real risks. MITRE's CVE program gave us a common language to discuss and track vulnerabilities.

Now, with reduced capacity at these institutions, the question becomes urgent: what does this mean for your business?

Why This Matters for Small Businesses

Large enterprises have dedicated security teams, threat intelligence subscriptions, and the budget to adapt quickly. But for small businesses, government contractors, and lean IT teams, these public resources were often the primary source of vulnerability intelligence.

Here's what's changing:

• Slower vulnerability cataloging: With reduced resources, the backlog of unanalyzed vulnerabilities continues to grow. That new flaw in your web server? It might take longer to get properly documented and scored.

• Fragmented information sources: Without a single authoritative source, businesses may need to piece together vulnerability data from multiple vendors and sources.

• Increased reliance on private sector: Security vendors and automated tools become more critical when public resources contract.

For Ohio businesses seeking SB 220 safe harbor protection, or government contractors working toward CMMC compliance, this creates additional complexity. The frameworks still reference NIST standards, but the supporting infrastructure is under strain.

The Silver Lining: Proactive Security Wins

Here's the truth that experienced security professionals have known all along: waiting for vulnerability databases to tell you about problems was never the best strategy anyway.

The most effective security posture has always been proactive. Instead of reacting to published CVEs, smart organizations continuously assess their own attack surface. They don't wait for someone else to tell them their systems are vulnerable—they find out first.

This shift in federal resources is actually pushing businesses toward better security practices:

1. Regular vulnerability scanning catches known issues in your specific environment, regardless of database delays
2. Automated assessments don't depend on government analysts working through backlogs
3. Continuous monitoring means you're not waiting for quarterly reports or annual audits

Practical Steps for Your Business

So what should you actually do? Here's a realistic action plan for businesses without enterprise security budgets:

Inventory your assets first. You can't protect what you don't know exists. Document your internet-facing systems, web applications, and critical infrastructure. This sounds basic, but many breaches start with forgotten servers or shadow IT.

Implement regular scanning. Automated vulnerability scanning has become affordable enough for any business. A monthly or quarterly scan of your external attack surface catches the low-hanging fruit that attackers look for first.

Prioritize based on exposure. Not every vulnerability requires immediate action. Focus on internet-facing systems first, then work inward. A critical flaw on a public web server matters more than a medium-severity issue on an isolated internal system.

Document your efforts. For compliance purposes—whether CMMC, SB 220, or cyber insurance requirements—documentation of your security activities matters almost as much as the activities themselves. Keep records of scans, remediation efforts, and security decisions.

Stay informed through multiple channels. Follow vendor security bulletins for your critical software. Subscribe to CISA alerts. Join industry groups where peers share threat intelligence. Don't rely on any single source.

The Responsibility Has Always Been Yours

Here's the uncomfortable reality: federal resources or not, securing your business has always been your responsibility. NIST and MITRE provided valuable public goods, but they were never going to protect your specific systems.

The current situation simply makes explicit what was always true—organizations must take ownership of their security posture. The good news? The tools to do this have never been more accessible or affordable.

Take Action Today

Don't wait for attackers to find your vulnerabilities first. Regular scanning is one of the most cost-effective ways to protect your business, especially as public vulnerability resources face constraints.

Oscar Six Security's Radar solution provides automated vulnerability scanning for just $99—giving small businesses and MSPs enterprise-grade visibility without enterprise budgets. Whether you're pursuing CMMC compliance, seeking Ohio SB 220 safe harbor, or simply want to know what attackers see when they look at your systems, proactive scanning is your first line of defense.

Focus Forward. We've Got Your Six.